Grace and Favour: Twins of the blessed life

Have you ever got out of a jam, a difficult situation, a lot easier than what you anticipated? Maybe it was something at your place of employment or at home when you were growing up.

Many years ago I was finishing up a day’s work, making a delivery. I was in a hurry to get home because it was around Christmas time.

I parked my car, dropped my package off and headed back to my car. The parking lot was unusually dark and I didn’t notice the black car that was parked along the driveway behind me; I backed right into the driver’s door.

I waited for some time before the owner came out. She was a lawyer and her husband was a lawyer and she was pretty upset. She kept going on about what her husband was going to say. Finally, we exchanged information and I went home pretty forlornly. She said she would call when she got the damage estimate. From that day to this I have never heard from her.

As time went on I realized that God had shown me favour in this situation. I believe that many times we are the recipient of God’s grace or favour long before we know it.

The Greek word charis is translated “grace” or “favour” in the Bible. It means that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, good will, loving-kindness, favour. What a wonderful description of the way God treats us.

Can you think of a time when something happened that you now realize was the grace/favour of God that shifted things for you? Often we are quick to acknowledge that we have been saved by grace through faith, not by our works, it is the gift of God (Eph.2:8). But there are many other times grace and favour is ministered to us, to help us in time of need without any of our own works contributing to the situation. What a blessing!

Did you know that there is a way to walk in even more grace/favour? Proverbs 3:3-4 says, “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.”

If you will be determined to allow mercy and truth play a major part in your life you will grow in abundance in the area of favour and grace.

I remember a story about a worker who needed tools for the job but couldn’t afford them. Another man came up to him and gave him what he needed. The man thanked him for it then asked “why are you doing this?” The man replied, “I don’t know why, I’m just doing it.” When God’s favour is on you, the unusual happens.

If you desire to walk in the blessing of grace and favour, be determined to cultivate mercy and truth in your life. The harvest of favour is coming your way. You have been destined to walk in the favour of God. God is smiling on you now as you meditate on how you can show mercy to those around you.